My wife works for a health coop. We are considering participating in their qualified plan (403-B). However the representative of the insurance company that administers these plans has represented to my wife and me that an annuity is the only option. The rep avoids answering our questions regarding alternatives to annuities and I have communicated that we don't need or want an anniuty. From this I have 2 questions for the fool who might know:1. Is it common for qualified plans to offer only annuities as the investment vehicle?2. If an annuity is our only option here, do the tax advantages offered by the 403-B out-weigh the additional costs and potentially "restricted" returns offered by the mutual fund subaccounts offered through the annuity?